Keeping afloat till I can get round to the debts!

NeverendingDMP

slm6002 said:

When I applied for UC it took about 6 imweeks to get up and running (although I know there was talk about trying to reduce this time) .  Might be worth seeing if you can apply early or if you qualify anyway?

Only my youngest will do things with me now.  DD1 is off with friends or at work and DS prefers to stay home.  Not sure how much longer I have with DD2 wanting to join in so I am making the most of it now.

Strange when they don't come but yes I'm enjoying the time with the youngest ones whilst it lasts.
Turn to us calculator says we might get 700 a month.  If we cut absolutely everything to the bone we will only just manage with these benefits so I'm trying to put money aside where I can to prepare. I knew about it so paid c tax over 10 months, have been saving etc etc. it's good to know what the claim time was though, thank you for sharing. And I'm stocking up on tins and dried food too! Ha ha

slm6002

Would the mortgage and utilities people allow you to have a break for a few months to help?

At least you have a little warning and can prepare rather than it being an emergency and then having to scramble around trying to make things work

NeverendingDMP

Gas and electric if it comes to it I will drop the d debits or just cancel it for a couple of months. I reckon I could manage a couple of months of not paying before I get in serious bother with them 😂. Other stuff we are trying to cut down and we have about 800 in our e refund now We've just reduced all our phones as DH and DS are out of contract. I've canceled prime and things like that. The kids have quit all their activities -by choice and we said no to the expensive school trips at highschool knowing that this would happen and the price was unrealistic anyway. My contract has been extended for six months so at least we can plan better financially now we know. Birthdays are coming up in spring but I kept some things aside from the Xmas shopping and now they are older they will likely want clothes which has the advantage of being the presents and clothing budget pots rolled into one!

jwil

Thanks for the reminder about topping up lunch money, I've just done ours.

Sounds like you've got a plan to manage the shortfall during SSP.  Hopefully the UC won't take too long.

NeverendingDMP

Christmas started for next year. Xmas tablecloth and 12 crackers for £ 2.20.  I bought some wrapping paper last week so won't need much of that now in December. Tried to get paper that was good for birthdays too but no luck on that this year. Ahh well

NeverendingDMP

This weather is very fresh -as in cold... We had snow on Sunday which was nice.  Especially when it had cleared on Monday ready for back to school. I'd like to say we are being frugal with the heating to save money but all bets are off this week, it's staying on low and we are still not even nearly hot.  I've tried having it on off instead of constant but our house looses heat that quick and takes so long to warm up again it's just not worth messing with it on the days we go below zero.  Temps going as.far as -7 near us this week then should get better after the weekend when usual boiler service will resume. It's the time of year so I'm not going to feel too bad about having the heating on. We are luckier than most to be able to switch it on anyways. 
Not too much else to report. We still have money left in the food pot and I'm trying to make a conscious effort to tilly tally and sneak extra bits into savings as we go. Unless stuff crops up for the kids no spend days are more likely in terms time as it is so hectic.

NeverendingDMP

Budget reset day. Saved some money last week so put a bit in childrens isas and tilly tallied to e fund. Hoping to spend less this week. We definitely waste lots all of money on food and top up shops 😂

jwil

Well done on having money left over!

NeverendingDMP

I've achieved absolutely nothing today. Been very tired. Kids slept in till nearly 11 as well so we must have all been feeling the same. Did food shop last night and am either hoping for a surge of energy tonight to fix the house into a clean and today state or it will have to wait till tomorrow. Youngest says shoes don't fit. Unsure if she's bored of them or she's grown. They are eating a lot and sleeping a lot so I think all of them are having a growth spurt. Will go to the dreaded show shop tomorrow to see what they say! I have enough in my clothes budget for three sets of school shoes if needed. PE trainers as well is debatable though. The youngest two get them from asda and eldest got trainers for Xmas so won't be too bad if I have to take a hit and buy them for the youngest too.

Aimingforthegoodlife

I think the weather is exhausting as well, glad you all had a good sleep. Fingers crossed UC doesn't take too long and the clothes budget holds out!